RLC News Articles

New certificates, courses approvedThe board approved two new certificates, several new courses and other changes to curriculum and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.

The two new certificates approved were:

Cyber Forensics Specialist – This certificate will prepare students to work in the criminal justice field dealing with cyber crime. The certificate will include four new courses: Cyber Crime and Law, Computer Forensics I and II; and Cyber Crime and Investigation. Six existing courses also will be included in the certificate.

Health Care Coach – The certificate will prepare students to work in the medical field as a health coach. Students will work under the close mentorship of a group of multidisciplinary health professionals. Four new courses – Introduction to Health Care, Health Care Psychology, Health Care Terminology and Community Health Care – plus the existing Introduction to Nutrition course will make up this certificate.

Other new courses approved Tuesday were Concealed Carry Law and Qualification, Firearm Safety and Marksmanship, Computerized Accounting with QuickBooks, and Instructional Methods in Practice. The Concealed Carry and Firearm Safety classes are related to RLC's offering of concealed carry training, the first session of which will be the weekend of Nov. 9 and 10 at the RLC MarketPlace.

Computerized Accounting with QuickBooks is a course being added to three programs in the Office Systems Technology area: the Associate in Applied Science degrees in Administrative Assistant and Health Information Assistant, and the occupational certificate in Office Assistant.

2013 tax levy adoptedThe board adopted the 2013 tax levy (payable 2014). The levy represents a slight decrease – 0.04 percent – over last year. The Corporate and Special Purpose levy went from $3,143,098 last year to $3,003,038 this year, a decrease of 4.46 percent. The Debt Service levy rose from $1,682,679 last year to $1,820,902 this year, an increase of 8.21 percent. The total of the two levies dropped slightly, from $4,825,777 last year to $4,823,940, a decrease of 0.04 percent.

Because the total of the proposed Corporate and Special Purpose and Debt Service levies was not greater than 105 percent of last year's levy, no Truth in Taxation hearing was required.

Rad Tech's Robinson earns tenureThe board granted tenure to Bria Robinson, Radiologic Technology Instructor, effective Jan. 3, after which she will have the title of Associate Professor. Her supervisor, Dean of Allied Health Kim Robert, said Robinson is a knowledgeable professional who continues to keep herself up-to-date with changes in the healthcare field.

"Bria genuinely cares for her students and inspires them to seek new learning opportunities. She maintains good rapport with students and with colleagues," Robert wrote in her recommendation letter. Robert said Robinson continues to assume additional responsibilities across the Allied Health Division and works to advance the Radiologic Technology program.

Three new employees hiredThe board approved the appointment of three new employees:

Abbi Carman, Records Specialist, effective Oct. 21. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from McKendree University as well as Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees from Rend Lake College. She most recently worked as a physician office assistant for St. Mary's Good Samaritan Medical Group.

Joy Fitts, Administrative Assistant for the Applied Science and Technology Division, effective Oct. 21. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and most recently was a surgery scheduler for Asbery and Associates.

Charlotte Loquasto, Records Specialist, effective Oct. 9. She holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree as an IT Systems Specialist from Rend Lake College. She most recently was an office manager for Quast Construction.

Schlag transfers to academic advisement, Bowlin moves to part timeThe board approved the transfer of Leah Schlag from Records Specialist to Academic Advisor effective Oct. 16. Schlag had been fulfilling the duties of Academic Advisor Nicki Bowlin, who had been out on leave. In a separate action Tuesday, Bowlin's resignation was accepted with regret effective Oct. 15. She plans to remain with the department in a part-time capacity.

Temporary full-time music instructor appointedEmployed Amber Williamson as temporary full-time Music Instructor effective Oct. 4 through Dec. 17. She has been a part-time music instructor since 2009.